Dan James is a man under the spotlight right now, with the Leeds United man’s form for club and country not where it should be.
Dan James tore the Championship apart last season. His 12 goals and nine assists landed him the Leeds United Player of the Season award, and it’s set the stage for him to finally crack the Premier League at the age of 27.
So far though, James hasn’t been up to scratch. Leeds United fans have criticised James’ performances of late with the Welshman yet to score or assist in three league appearances.
Likewise, Welsh media have been critical of James during the September international break, and so James returns to Elland Road with a point to prove.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty ImagesDaniel Farke tells Dan James to up his game at Leeds United
It’s not just fans that think James has to really step up this season, but Daniel Farke too. Speaking ahead of the weekend, Farke told James he needs to step up this season, along with other players too.
The Leeds boss said: “Not just Willy, but Daniel James also has a point to prove on this level, also Jack Harrison after a good start, back to life, also right now still on the run to win all the supporters back. Brenden Aaronson also point to prove… So all my offensive players also need to step up.”
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty ImagesCould Dan James be used as a striker at Leeds United?
Wingers and strikers are thin on the ground at Thorp Arch. Leeds’ failure to sign anyone on deadline day could prove fatal and already we’re seeing the cracks emerge, with Lukas Nmecha and Joel Piroe injury doubts for the Fulham game.
It leaves Farke relying on Dominic Calvert-Lewin whose injury record we all know is patchy. Leeds then could have to get creative if there are any issues between now and January and one potential option could be laying James up front.
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We saw last season how James’ finishing ability had come on leaps and bounds from the season before. Also, James is one of the fastest players in the Premier League this season and so playing him up front could work, if supplied with chances.
And it wouldn’t be the first time James has played up top. During his loan spell with Fulham in 2022/23, Marco Silva used James as a striker on occasion, notably in a 3-1 win away at Everton in April 2023 in which James actually scored.
Silva explained his thinking to The Athletic: “We changed the profile of our no.9 to use James as a striker because we wanted to explore some things in their back line, in behind the two central defenders, with Harry Wilson on the right side as well. We did really well, the players took to the plan.”
Silva will surely have a plan in place to nullify James’ pace on Saturday, with kick off at 3pm.